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Old 04-15-2002, 01:38 PM
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Free Car Wash

Hi, Question.
I know at some dealers (Laguna for example where I bought my car) give free Car Washes to MB owners. However, I am in San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Took the car to the dealer in Oakland, and they say they don't give free car wash. Does this happen to anyone? Do you have to buy your car from the dealer for the free car wash, or is the Oakland Dealer just a jerk. I wonder because at Laguna, there are like free food/drinks large waiting room with TV. In Oakland, it's a tiny rm with coffee. Is this only in Oakland?

How about the dealers in SF and SJ? I wonder if they are nicer than Oakland.
Old 04-15-2002, 01:48 PM
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c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Oaktown and SF are owned by the same people and as a result, you don't get free car washes at either. (nor loaner cars unless your car is in the shop for a few day too)

You know, I'm not into running around town for a free car wash. Tower (near where Van Ness and 101 meet does hand washes). 15 bucks and they clean everything inside and out.

Last edited by galaxygrrl; 04-15-2002 at 02:27 PM.
Old 04-15-2002, 01:59 PM
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i think laguna is one of the better dealerships in the US (and i need to move closer... ) i don't necessarily think your dealership is not good if they don't provide food and car washes b/c the primary reason you're going there is to have the car fixed (i assume). i know some people have mentioned that they go to their dealer just to get car washes for free.

but given 2 dealerships near each other, w/ similar quality service, the free cookies may push me to one dealer
Old 04-15-2002, 02:05 PM
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Thanks for your info.

galaxygrrl, I know the one you are talking about, and they do a good job handwashing. Do you know any place in East Bay that has Hand Wash as well?

That sucks with the Loaner cars, I haven't needed them but good to know that the 2 dealers are like that.

This motivates me to move to S. Cal more.

thanks
Old 04-15-2002, 02:29 PM
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The one in Buena Park and at Anaheim Hills gives free car washes. The Buena Park one give better food and has cappachino...mMmmMm..good. Cant believe some dealers don't give car washes. Even my Sport Trac gets carwashes from FORD.
Old 04-15-2002, 06:11 PM
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You guys and gals are just to lucky...

I have never, ever heard of any dealership, of any kind, that offers free car washes. Guess the level of service, in general, is much higher in US. Hell, I would be happy if they fixed my car without trying to charge me... (had my steering wheel aligned and they wanted 70 bucks to fix it, even though it had been out of alignment from day one)
Old 04-15-2002, 06:31 PM
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SORRY..

Sorry, no car washes here also. I asked my dealer about it when i bought the car and they told me SORRY..
Old 04-15-2002, 06:36 PM
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many Lexus dealerships give free car washes... there was a dealer pretty close to my house and I would bring my GS400 in all the time....

I'm pretty far from any MB dealers, so I didn't even inquire about it when I got my C32....
Old 04-15-2002, 06:41 PM
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Re: You guys and gals are just to lucky...

Originally posted by DtS
I have never, ever heard of any dealership, of any kind, that offers free car washes. Guess the level of service, in general, is much higher in US. Hell, I would be happy if they fixed my car without trying to charge me... (had my steering wheel aligned and they wanted 70 bucks to fix it, even though it had been out of alignment from day one)
Let me clarify a bit more. I never actually went to one for ONLY a car wash. They washed it after they did the repair they needed to do. Im not sure if you can just go there and ask for a free car wash out of nowhere. Does anyone know if that's possible? If so, dont be embarrassed to say it is...hee hee
Old 04-15-2002, 06:53 PM
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Alabaster White C230K Grey Int. and 2003 C32 pewter/charcoal gray
Go to my dealer at Anaheim Hills every Saturday they serve Lunch.
Old 04-15-2002, 07:01 PM
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Originally posted by c230_2k2
Go to my dealer at Anaheim Hills every Saturday they serve Lunch.
Calibur right?! They take pride in mentioning they serve lunch. They always tell me "Come on down Saturday, we serve lunch while we wash your car!"....hahhaha
Old 04-15-2002, 07:09 PM
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Of the two MB dealers near me, both offer free hand washes as well as a automated one. they also serve drinks and "finger foods" all day long and lunch Saturday. I go to the one near where I work and get it handwashed. I ride with a co-worker and come back an hour later to a clean car with blacked tires and a vacumed inside all for free.
Old 04-15-2002, 07:34 PM
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The Tucson MB dealer has given me a free wash each time I have taken it in for service....even when I got my cd chnager installed. They have a small fridge full of drinks (water and soda) and, while they last, bagels (with cream cheese) and donuts.
Old 04-15-2002, 08:12 PM
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"Free" car washes? Are these dealers getting volunteers to do the work? The person doing the wash is getting paid, and their salary is part of the overhead that gets figured into the hourly cost of the repairs that we do pay for. BTW, the dealers around here do give "free" car washes, but the MB hourly shop rate is about $20/hour higher than Toyota. Haven't seen gastronomic reviews around here.(but the Lexus dealer did have really nice cookies in the showroom)

The diminutively sized 230 takes about 15-20min to wash in the driveway, and the california water blade speeds things along. Besides, it is a bit of exercise and some stretching.
Old 04-15-2002, 08:24 PM
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DrMike, are you noticing any marks in the clear coat from the California water blade? I am just using it in the glass.
Old 04-15-2002, 09:12 PM
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I've used it for over 3 years and no marks in the part. Just be sure to get it completely clean first. If there is dirt still on car all you will do it scratch it.
Old 04-15-2002, 09:13 PM
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Brill. Silver-C230K, Auto, C4,C5,C7
My dealer, here in NY, washes your car when it's in for service.
They have 20 E-Class and 8 Toyotas as loaners.
Old 04-15-2002, 10:30 PM
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hourly cost? just sell the car before its out of warranty....
Old 04-16-2002, 02:49 AM
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Originally posted by DrMike
"Free" car washes? Are these dealers getting volunteers to do the work? The person doing the wash is getting paid, and their salary is part of the overhead that gets figured into the hourly cost of the repairs that we do pay for. BTW, the dealers around here do give "free" car washes, but the MB hourly shop rate is about $20/hour higher than Toyota. Haven't seen gastronomic reviews around here.(but the Lexus dealer did have really nice cookies in the showroom)

The diminutively sized 230 takes about 15-20min to wash in the driveway, and the california water blade speeds things along. Besides, it is a bit of exercise and some stretching.
I want to wash my own car too, but my stupid condo complex won't allow car washes in the complex.

Thus, alternative, take it in for washes. Laguna is one of the best dealers I know...
Old 04-16-2002, 03:03 AM
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c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
leepolun,

try pleasenton. they seems to understand the extras. I have no idea of a good car wash in the east bay, sorry.
Old 04-16-2002, 06:05 AM
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from what i know Penske and House of Imports give free car washes once a week from i think 7 something in the morning till 10 but i forgot about which day of the week.

i'll ask House of Imports when i pick up my C32 this friday night
Old 04-16-2002, 12:08 PM
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I don't know about free car washes but San Rafael provide loaner cars. If SF or Oakland are near to you then San Rafael is also.

Nathan
Old 04-16-2002, 06:13 PM
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Penske washes free

Penske in west covina actually washes mon-sat, not just once week. i bring in my car for free wash at least once a week or when ever i have the time, gotta keep it shinny! plus free snacks and drinks!!!
Old 04-16-2002, 06:22 PM
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The whole "free car wash" thing cracks me up.

Esp. when I am driving by Fletcher Jones on a Saturday and see the long line of cars waiting 2 hours for their "free" car wash.

And esp. when I've seen how they "wash" and dry the cars (dirty, gritty towels, etc.). No thanks.

In the short time it would take me to drive to the dealer and back (10 minutes each way), I already have my car *properly* washed and dried (by myself) in my driveway.

The whole novelty of going to the dealer for a "free" carwash just never struck me like it seems to strike many.
Old 04-16-2002, 06:27 PM
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wow takes only 20 mins to wash your car? if i do it myself it takes me 40 min, maybe i'm just slow. what kind of car products are you using? i read an article in wsj about ferrari show room people use mcguire products.


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